Actors and politics: the unbreakable tie

Actor George Clooney brought his Hollywood charm to Kentucky this weekend and helped pick up at least $200,000 for his father's congressional campaign.

The Ocean's Eleven star appeared at two events in Kentucky to raise funds for father Nick's bid to enter Congress. About 150 people paid $250 (Ј136) each to meet the actor at a restaurant while 100 people paid $1,000 (Ј545) each to see him at a private home.

Nick Clooney is Democratic candidate for the Fourth District seat of retiring US representative Ken Lucas. George Clooney spoke briefly at both events but made no political statements, report BBC.

Supporters packed two fund-raisers in Northern Kentucky on Saturday night. About 150 people paid $250 each for a fund-raiser at the Oriental Wok in Fort Mitchell. About 100 attended a $1,000-a-head event at the home of Rob and Amy Carlisle in Villa Hills.

The press was not allowed inside the fund-raisers, but those who attended said the events were a success. "There was a huge crowd there at the house. Probably about 100 people there," said Fort Thomas developer Wayne Carlisle, Rob Carlisle's father and a supporter of Nick Clooney.

"It was just a mass of people. It was elbow to elbow at the Oriental Wok," said state Rep. Jim Callahan, D-Wilder. Both Clooneys made brief remarks at the Oriental Wok event, but stayed away from overtly partisan issues, Callahan said.

"Nick Clooney knows how to say the right things," he said. "I think it's a little early for him to get deep rooted in the issues. Personally, I thought it went good." George Clooney, who has publicly criticized Republican President George W. Bush, was low-key in his remarks. "George really didn't say a whole lot except he was there to help his dad," Callahan said, according to Cincypost.com